Page 60: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2015)

COUNTRY REPORT

Maritime Ireland Comes of Age

By Joseph R. Fonseca

Even though the struggle for inde- and shore); Water sports (sail- ing activities, offshore E&P activity. in the marine renewable energy sector, pendence from Britain ? nally resulted ing, boating, water skiing, jet The government vision is to aim to including wave, offshore wind and tide. in Ireland being declared “a sovereign, skiing, sur? ng, kayaking, scuba target these opportunities, by becom- For example, Ireland has one of the best independent, democratic state” in 1937 diving etc); Seaside resorts/trips ing a research and commercial cluster wind and wave resources in the world, there was little interest being shown in (Swimming, bird watching, of world standing; and by realizing Ire- as well as signi? cant hotspots for tidal the maritime affairs of the country. This, whale/dolphin watching, nature land’s potential in the global, maritime energy on the east coast. It is expected despite Ireland being seen as having op- reserves, eco tourism etc). and energy markets of tomorrow. The that the ocean energy sector (wave and portunities to derive added value from its Maritime Market Opportunity Ireland’s tides) will potentially yield 52,000 new vast marine resources. 2. Shipping and maritime economy comprises of a large jobs by 2030 as well as contribute to the Maritime Transport:

Up until a few years ago, sporadic en- number of companies operating in sub future security of energy supply. a. There are several large deavors failed to achieve optimum eco- sectors such as shipping and transport, The government has set a target of 500 well-established ? rms in this nomic bene? ts. Ireland’s ambition to seafood production, hydrocarbon explo- MW of wave and tidal derived energy area, that are involved in freight create a maritime cluster gathered mo- ration, boat building, bio-discovery and by 2020, while the recent Ocean Re- services only, or in both freight mentum only during the last few years. technology. Ireland’s share of the global newable Energy Development Plan has and passenger services (e.g

It began with the introduction of the maritime industries market is small. identi? ed the feasibility of at least 1,500

Stenaline. P&O Ferries, Irish tonnage tax regime in 2003. This made However, opportunities exist if Irish MW from wave and tide, and 4,500 MW

Ferries). Besides, private ship

Ireland an attractive destination for ship- companies can capitalize on research to from offshore wind sources by 2030. owners also operate in this sec- ping. The immediate effect was that target niche, high value growth areas. Technological advances are required to tor. The cruise industry is prob- it reversed the trend of Irish shipping adapt onshore designs for wind turbines ably offers the most exotic ca- companies ? agging out to foreign regis- to deeper and more challenging marine

Oil & Gas Exploration reer in this sector. Although no tries. Most banks started to provide ship environments. There is also a need for

Ireland has been a producer of gas since cruise liners embark from Irish ? nance readily, thus drawing renowned the ? rst Irish offshore well was drilled in research into areas such as modeling and

Ports, more than 150 dock reg- ship owners from Norway, Canada and the Celtic Sea in 1970. Activities in this control of wind microgrids, forecasting, ularly at the larger Irish ports other European countries to invest in Ire- area include exploration for oil and gas, and storage. every year, and they are becom- land’s shipping sector. At the same time, the largest market and the extraction and production of gas. ing increasingly magni? cent in

Today, the maritime industry is diversi- in the world for offshore wind is cur-

The State has opened new areas for ex- size and scale.

? ed and operates in a globally competi- ploration licensing off the West Coast, rently in the UK. As a result, there are 3. Seafood: tive marketplace, while providing jobs huge opportunities for Irish companies and the oil and gas industry is again turn- a. An extensive sector, it in- and bene? ts for both skilled and entry ing its attention to Ireland with greater to target this sector. IMERC is perfectly volves ? shing & aquaculture, level employees. The most important vigor. In addition, recent discoveries of positioned to help with the challenge of seafood processing, seafood categories of economic activity in the both oil and gas in the Celtic Sea, while training and capacity building, for exam- marketing, etc.

Irish marine sector can be classi? ed un- ple by providing conversion courses and not yet declared commercial, have un- der three heads: innovative products and services into the derscored the potential of this area.

All three are well established or ‘tradi-

UK marketplace. tional’ segments of this sector. Associ- 1. Water-based Tourism In comparison to wind, wave and tidal

The Marine and Leisure: ated marine related career areas include technology is at a nascent stage of devel-

Renewable Energy a. This includes leisure ac- the cruise industry, boat building, marine opment. However, deployment targets

A major opportunity for Ireland lies indicate that the growth in the sector will tivities such as sea angling (boat construction, engineering & manufactur- 60 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JUNE 2015

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